ready with its deceits, that in a matter of business under pretence of seeking another’s, it
may defraud a man, and so, “seek not his own, but another’s.” But let covetousness restrain
itself, let justice come forth; so let us hear and understand. It is to charity that it is said, “Let
no man seek his own, but another’s.” Now, O thou covetous one, if thou wilt still resist, and
twist the precept rather to this point, that thou shouldest covet what is another’s; then lose
what is thine own. But as I know thee well, thou dost wish to have both thine own and an-
other’s. Thou wilt commit fraud that thou mayest have what is another’s; submit then to
robbery that thou mayest lose thine own. Thou dost not wish to seek thine own, but then
thou takest away what is another’s. Now this if thou do, thou doest not well. Hear and listen,
thou covetous one: the Apostle explains to thee in another place more clearly this that he
said, “Let no man seek his own, but another’s.” He says of himself, “Not seeking mine own
profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.”2665 This Peter understood not yet
when he desired to live on the mount with Christ. He was reserving this for thee, Peter, after
death. But now He saith Himself, “Come down, to labour in the earth; in the earth to serve,
to be despised, and crucified in the earth. The Life came down, that He might be slain; the
Bread came down, that He might hunger; the Way came down, that life might be wearied
in the way; the Fountain came down, that He might thirst; and dost thou refuse to labour?
‘Seek not thine own.’ Have charity, preach the truth; so shall thou come to eternity, where
thou shalt find security.”
2665 1 Cor. x. 33.
734
On the words of the Gospel, Matt. xvii. 1, ‘After six days Jesus taketh…